Inspiration

St. Matthew and the Angel by Rembrandt Harmensz Van Rijn

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Listen to this truth while you view the art by clicking the play button

Rembrandt has painted a very thoughtful picture of St. Matthew. He is writing his immortal work "the gospel according to Matthew." For a moment his pen has stopped. He gazes off into space as if to listen -- to catch something in his thoughts. He cannot write further until he "hears." Hears what? Although WE see the angel whispering in his right ear, Mathew does not. He can't see anyone but he hears someone.

Isn't that how inspiration works? While we are in the act of "doing" we are suddenly stopped by something, by someone giving us insights far beyond what we are capable of knowing. This was God's gift to Matthew as he wrote the story of Jesus. Inspiration was God's gift to every author that wrote part of the Bible. "All scripture is inspired by God..." 2 Timothy 3:16a

And God, will inspire us also while we are going about our business. We'll have an unsolvable problem one day and the next day we'll know what to do. We won't know what to say but suddenly the words will come. "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:12

When you do not know what to do, STOP what you are doing and LISTEN for the footsteps of God. He will give you the gift of inspiration if you will listen for it.